Dalbo Area Church Softball Season Starts May 10th - 04/30/11 09:12 AM
This week I finished getting the softball schedules ready.  Its a huge task now with 38 teams in the Dablo Area Church Softball league. The league consists of two divisions.  The teams that are a little more competitive are in Division 1 and their are 18 teams in that part of the league this year.  Division 2 consists of the the remaining 20 teams.
The fun begins on Tuesday May 10th with games played every Tuesday night through August 9th and a season ending tournament from August 18-21st.  Teams are located mostly in Isanti County with a couple from Chisago County … (1 comments)

Not So Handy Chuck - 04/29/11 02:11 PM
I am trying to do some handyman work around the home so my wife stops nagging me! One of the elements went out on the water heater a couple weeks ago so the water goes cold fast and yet I have not changed it...so she is really not nagging just misjudging my handyman ability.
Today I am trying to tackle this project but it looks like I don't have the right tools in the tool box.  So I am taking a break to refocus my plans.  
We also have our hood fan light out. That's easy but I got the … (9 comments)

Vikings get Christian Ponder at Pick 12 - 04/29/11 11:04 AM
I am enjoying listening to the reaction in Minnesota as the Minnesota Vikings reached in almost everyones opinion to get Christian Ponder at pick 12.  He was predicted to go late first round or early second round but ends up in a much more prosperous position for him financial as the number 12 pick.
In most years when there is less need for a Quarterback he probably would be a 3rd or 4th round pick and the Vikings get him this year in the first round.  Thus, most fans are reacting fairly negatively.  I think they would have been happy to … (2 comments)

Cities I Have Showed Homes In During The Last Week (RE/MAX Results) - 04/28/11 08:22 PM
The last week I have been really logging the miles.  I am a Realtor that does work a wider area.  I office out of Elk River and Cambridge MN and that puts Anoka County, Sherburne County and Isanti County in my wheel house.  With that Chisago County is nearby, several people wanting showings in Hennipen County, Wright County and even Mille Lacs County.
This week I even went into Pine County showing homes in Rock Creek and Pine City.  I was in Harris and North Branch of Chisago County.  I went into Hennipen County by showing homes in Robinsdale, Saint Louis … (3 comments)

Missing My First Ever Softball Game - 04/27/11 10:04 PM
On May 10th its now very likely that I will miss my first ever softball game for my church softball team at Cambridge Lutheran Church.  I started the team 4 years ago and I am the only player to never miss a game.  We still have 6 players from our original team and they are all very committed but normally there is an average of one game missed a season.  
I suppose there could be a rainout to delay the end of the streak, but I know I will likely miss a few games this year.  I am helping coach … (1 comments)

Best summer trips -- Minneapolis - 04/27/11 09:53 PM
Minnesota you should be proud.  This is a post by E.J. Carlier but I thought it was worth the time to share it.  Got to love the mall and Target field!
 
Via E.J. "Mike" Carlier ABR CRS GRI (MarketLink Realty Apple Valley MN):
According to an article published by National Geographic, of the ten best summer trips in the world, two are located in the contiguous forty-eight states.  San Juan Islands, Washington, and Minneapolis, Minnesota were the representative summer destinations. 
It's true that the best (according to ESPN) major league baseball park is in Minneapolis, and the largest shopping mall in the … (0 comments)

512 Dogwood Street SW - Isanti MN 55040 (RE/MAX Results) - 04/25/11 08:49 AM
This home is priced at $127,500. With not many non foreclosure or bank owned homes in the price range this one is a great home to check out if you are someone you know is looking. Its close to a park, has 3 BR, a good sized lower level master bedroom and family room. The upstairs is vaulted with an open kitchen, dining and living room. Plus it has a 3 car garage so you have a little extra room for your toys!

… (1 comments)

Now That Easter Is Over, What Happens? - 04/25/11 08:38 AM
How with the Minnesota Real Estate Market do with Easter Over?
With Easter coming later this season it really seemed like Spring was on delay.  The weather has not been good in Minnesota other then for a few short days.  However, the Real Estate Market has been warming up for the past couple months. So what happens now?
I think the Minnesota Real Estate market will stay hot for at least the month of May!  There are buyers looking to buy but not homes out there that fit them.  Or there are homes that fit there needs but they sell before … (2 comments)

Happy Birthday to My Wonderful Wife Melissa! - 04/21/11 08:41 AM
Its my beautiful wifes birthday today!  She is off to work and I am soon off to show homes.  I am going to semi surprise her for lunch at her office! And I should have some more surprises for her throughout the weekend.  ( I can't say too much in case she reads my blog).
 

(All my girls pictured above)
In case you do read this - Happy Birthday Melissa!!!
 
… (4 comments)

I am trying to get in to Baseball Season mode... - 04/20/11 08:25 AM
Good thing the Minnesota Twins are on the road.  My son has his first 8U Baseball practice tomorrow, so I am hoping this snow disappears so we can get that rolling.

Its still coming down this morning.  I think April 20th is a little late in the year for snow, but living in Minnesota you get the weather curveballs all the time.  The weather people were saying 2-4 inches but I am really hoping that this starts to melt real soon.
 
 
… (4 comments)

Do's & Don't When It Comes To Your Home Mortgage Loan - 04/20/11 12:32 AM
This is a post that I am reblogging because its an easy to follow guide to help you when it comes to getting your mortgage approved and having a timely and successful closing.
Via Lee & Pamela St. Peter ~ (919) 645-2522 Raleigh NC, Realtors®, GRI,CRS,ABR,ePro (Prudential York Simpson Underwood Realty):
What To Do (and NOT to do) When It Comes To Your Home Loan
 
As lending practices are tightening and loan packages are taking longer to prepare, it's not entirely uncommon that a scheduled closing date may need pushed back a day or two due to holes or required changes in … (1 comments)

Are Short Sales the Best Deals? (RE/MAX Results) - 04/19/11 11:17 AM
When I scan the MLS listings for the various areas in Minnesota that I help buyers and sellers in I see that for the most part SHORT SALE homes are the best deals.  Yes, you will often find a bank owned home listed just as low, but many of those are getting multiple offers and seller for higher then listing price.
Short sales tend to be the best deal for multiple reasons:
1) Less buyers are looking at them because some buyers don't want to deal with the wait for the bank approval.  It normally takes 3-4 months before a short … (4 comments)

Minnesota - A Normal Market Right Now? (RE/MAX Results) - 04/17/11 08:58 AM
Last year at this time we had the mad rush for many buyers to get the home purchased so they could get the up to $8000 tax credit. What that left us with in the Minnesota Real Estate market was a lot less buyers in the summer because so many buyers who would have normally bought in the summer instead made their purchase before April 30th.
This year I have been noticing a more normal market.  Yes, prices are way down from 5 years ago and there are a lot of great deals out there, but the flow of the market … (2 comments)

RIP Mike Sudbeck - I know where to find you! - 04/15/11 12:24 AM
I'm finding it really hard to sleep tonight with the news of the loss of a good friend of mine Mike Sudbeck.  I blogged early a little bit about him!  But laying in bed just trying to sleep I found my self in deep thought instead.  
Many will ask why/how does a young man like this go now?  So soon? Too soon...  Sometimes its scary to think life can be there and then gone.  You find yourself thinking, am I living my life fully?  Am I being the best I can be now?
I can't speak for Mike and say … (5 comments)

Mike Sudbeck - You will be missed. - 04/14/11 07:04 PM
Today after my Toastmasters meeting I had 3 voice mails and wondered who was all calling. Sadly it was my Dad and a couple friends telling me that a great friend Mike Sudbeck had been found dead this morning.  Shocking news when its a young guy only 33 years old.
I could not talk and just wanted to be left alone. It really hurt.  I went to school with Mike from Kindergaden until 12 grade.  Then he attended college for a couple years just down the road at St. Cloud State (I went to Saint John's).  Mike was the first kid … (6 comments)

780 Marigold Drive, Cambridge MN (New Listing) -RE/MAX Results - 04/13/11 10:45 AM
780 Marigold Drive in Cambridge MN is a professionally updated home that is clean and ready to move into. It has 4 BR and 2 BA with a 3 stall garage. The kitchen features stainless steal appliances and a center island. The master bedroom has his and hers closets. The family room is 23x16. View the photo slide show below or get more details at: Home for Sale: 780 Marigold Drive S- Cambridge MN

… (1 comments)

Wellness Workshops in Elk River - 04/12/11 10:09 AM
Different Solutions for Different Family
The Elk River YMCA is partnering with Different Solutions for Different Familys to host a series of Wellness Workshops starting tomorrow April 13th!
The workshops are free to YMCA members and only a $5 donation for non members with the funds collected going to Harvest Outreach in Elk River.  All workshops are at the Elk River YMCA's community room. (Bring a photo id for admission to the Y.
On April 13th at 7pm the the presenter is Dr. Lynnsey Jepson.  Topic: Its your future to be healthy. How does stress affect your body? Come and learn … (2 comments)

New Listing - 512 Dogwood Street SW- Isanti MN ($127,500) - RE/MAX Results - 04/11/11 05:45 PM
Here is the photo slide show for my new listing at 512 Dogwood Street - Isanti, MN. The home is listed at $127,500 and is not a bank owned or short sale home. Thus, if your looking for regular sellers to work with this is a great one. You can see it has a 3 car garage. It also has 3 BR, and 2 BA. The Master BR is 23x12 and located downstairs.
More info on my website: Home for Sale: 512 Dogwood Street SW - Isanti MN

… (2 comments)

Another Family Day - 04/10/11 09:08 AM
We have church this morning but after that its s free family day with no set plans.  Yesterday we went to the zoo and right away a nice lady said she would take our photo (below): 
 

Its really overcast right now.  But if it clears up we will probably spend a couple ours practicing baseball and softball with the kids.  Perhaps we will go for a family "hike" on a local parks walking path.  (Samantha does not like to walk so that might not work!)  We will see how the days plays out!  Good to take a little time … (3 comments)

Restocked My Photos: Future Blog Titles - 04/10/11 08:29 AM
Yesterday we went to the zoo as a family and I got a chance to take some photos so I might be able to start posting some photos on my blogs to liven them up a little bit.  Its the first big photo shoot I have been on since my computer crashed and I lost my photos.

HOW SPEEDY IS A SHORT SALE?
 

WHAT DOES A SHORT SALE NEGOTIATOR FOR (NAME OF BANK) DO ALL DAY?
 
 
 
… (7 comments)

Things To Do In the Spring - 04/09/11 10:07 PM
Now that Spring is finally here in Minnesota we can now add to things that our family likes to do.  Today we went to the Como Zoo in St. Paul. We looked at all the plants and animals and then had a picnic in one of the parks. Afterwords the kids played on the playground for a while.  
Later when we got home we spent nearly two hours outside playing catch and hitting baseballs and softballs around.  Its time to get the kids ready for the season ahead. Its good to see my daughter starting to get into the ball … (2 comments)

Government Shutdown Daggers Real Estate - 04/08/11 09:47 AM
If the Government shuts down most Real Estate will shut down.  It sounds like if the Government shuts downs FHA Mortgages would shut down.  I'm guessing FHA mortgages are most of your pending sales. I know they are for me. The ones that are not FHA mortgages are cash buyers buying government homes.  So I am thinking that's the same thing.
Do you think the Government will actually shut down?  I am not seeing as much talk on here as I thought I would on this issue.  With 800,000 government employees set to be with out work and all the effects … (5 comments)

6 Alternatives to Foreclosure - 04/06/11 07:37 AM
This is a post by Judy Chapman in Chicago and I thought I would share it because its a quick summary of the options for people who are facing a foreclosure situation.
 
 
Via Judy Chapman (Koenig & Strey Real Living):
Homeowners facing foreclosure can take one or more measures to avert being ‘taken to the bank’ by the Great Real Estate Crash. While none of these alternatives is perfect, doing something is better than letting foreclosure happen.
Refinance – You will only be able to refinance your mortgage if the appraised value of your house is worth more than the current … (3 comments)

Great Run UConn! - 04/04/11 11:33 PM
Being from Minnesota I tend to cheer for all the Minnesota squads. After that I defer to the underdog teams like Butler, but after tonight's championship win over Butler, UConn deserves to win the title.  They did not lose an elimination game all year and go on a 11 game winning streak to win a their 3rd NCAA Championship.
I know in the bracket pool I was in only 2 people picked UConn and no one had Butler in the final four.  How about Butlers shooting tonight.  I have never seen 2 point shooting like that in my life in College … (4 comments)

Should I Use Twitter? - 04/04/11 04:37 PM
I thought I would do a quick follow up video to the post I did earlier today on Active Rain about Twitter. In this video I talk about "Should I Be On Twitter?"
It really will depend on your area, your target market and what else you are doing social media wise! Most of us will agree that its really tough to be out there on all social media and do a great job! I don't talk about it in this video but will in a follow up video! Twitter is pretty easy to check in briefly if you want. However, … (7 comments)

Should I Use Twitter? - 04/04/11 08:41 AM
More and more I am seeing people hop on Twitter.  However, are people staying on Twitter?  About two thirds of the people who try Twitter will quit in the first month because they just don't get it.
Twitter can be difficult to gain traction on.  You get on there and you start following a few people, and you send out a couple Tweets and...nothing.  They just sit there and you don't know what to do because it seems like no one is listening.
You get excited when a few new people follow you!  Then you notice they tweet some sort of … (9 comments)

"The Busy Season" - (RE/MAX Results) - 04/03/11 09:58 PM
March for most Realtors and a lot of Buyers in Minnesota marked the start of the busy buying season.  Right now I am getting at 50% of the house that are being requested for showing as being mark Active with accepted offer. My feeling is that April will be no different!
Right now is a good time to get your home listed at good price.  A good price to me is something that is competitive with the short sales and foreclosure listings but hopefully a little higher if your a regular seller simply based on the fact that your home is … (1 comments)

Ramsey, MN Real Estate Market Report - March 2011 - 04/01/11 02:20 PM
Its hard to believe that the first quarter of the year is already over! The Ramsey MN Real Estate Market had a real busy 1st quarter with 50 homes pending and over 70 homes closed. There are 154 homes on the market but several of those are about to go pending as well.
For more detail on the homes for sale in Ramsey MN and the Ramsey Real Estate Market check out this video:

To search homes click on my website link below!
… (1 comments)

 
Chuck8_8 Rainmaker_large

Chuck Carstensen

Elk River, MN

More about me…

RE/MAX Results

Address: 650 Dodge Avenue, Elk River, MN, 55330

Office Phone: (763) 635-7228

Cell Phone: (612) 290-3809

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I help buyers, sellers and investors with their real estate needs. In this blog I post my listings and give real estate, social media and personal development tips. I enjoy giving people tips, suggestions and hints that can improve their business and life.




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